Full disclosure, I’m doing some work for them. But even if I wasn’t, I’d probably be talking about it regardless.

Fan Expo Canada occurs later this week and for many of us in the Toronto area, much like the arrival of the CNE, it kind of signals the end of the summer and the end of convention season. About a month ago, the folks at Fan2Sea gave me a call to see if I would be interested in moderating some panels and doing some promotional work for the company on this side of the border. At the time, they had only announced a little bit of their guest line up (cast members of The Walking Dead like Michael Rooker and Guardians of the Galaxy‘s Sean Gunn). I was cautiously optimistic until they revealed to me who else was going.

Brian Azzarello, Andy Kubert, Amanda Connor, Jimmy Palmiotti, Mark Brooks, Gerry Duggan, Phil Noto, Gail Simone, Mark Waid, Klaus Janson, Tim Sale and a ton more I’m not allowed to talk about yet (seriously, these guys occasionally put the red dot on my chest just to remind me). I can say they have a really solid line-up for a first year convention.

Not to mention a screening of Raiders: The Story of the Greatest Fan Film Ever Made (a movie I’ve been looking forward to catching for a while now) hosted by the filmmakers, as well as a Stranger Things panel with members of the cast. Add in some nerdy burlesque and nerd rock band The Flux Capacitors and you’ve got a really solid little convention…

ON A BOAT!

The last few years, I’ve been talking about how comic conventions need to freshen things up a bit, especially in the comics department and quite honestly I like the idea of a cruise and a convention at the same time. The crowd is going to be a bit smaller but I’m still getting a-list guests. Don’t get me wrong, I still love going to conventions. (I wouldn’t be moderating panels at Fan Expo this year if I didn’t.) But I like the idea that someone is trying something new and different with the format.

And on a completely personal note, being Canadian, going to Florida for a week in January sounds like an amazing idea.

For those of you looking for convention a little out of the ordinary, this might be the ticket for you. Take a gander at the websiteand tell me what you think. Feedback is always appreciated.

Next week, DC Movies. Right now, back to bed with me.

And remember, if you’re going to geek out, GEEK HARD!

Fan2Sea is sporting a stellar lineup for a First Year Con. Get on the boat for this one.